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[Review] The Effigies Series: Fate of Flames

 

Fate of Flames Book One in the EFFIGIES series. Sarah Raughley. Cover designed by Karina Granda.© 2016. Simon Pulse. Simon & Schuster, New York.


Author Sarah Raughley descends on to the scene with the first installment of her thrilling debut YA novel series: Fate of Flames. Readers are taken along on a journey with four cosmic-powered leading ladies across a world filled with danger, terror, and intrigue.

Author: Sarah Raughley 

Synopsis: Years ago, everything changed.

Phantoms, massive beasts of nightmare, began terrorizing the world. At the same time, four girls—the Effigies—appeared, each with a unique power to control a classical element. Since then, they have protected the world from the Phantoms. At the death of one Effigy, another is chosen, pulled from her normal life into the never-ending battle.

    When Maia unexpectedly becomes the next Fire Effigy, she resists her new calling. A quiet girl with few friends and almost no family, she was much happier to admire the Effigies from afar. Never did she imagine having to master her ability to control fire, to protect innocent citizens from the Phantoms, or to try bringing together the other three Effigies.
    
    But with the arrival of the mysterious Saul—a man who seems to be able to control the Phantoms using the same cosmic power previously only granted to four girls at a time—Maia and the other Effigies must learn to work together in a world where their celebrity status is more important than their heroism.

    But the secrets Saul has, and the power he possesses, might be more than even they can handle…


Review: The book series setup was pitched by the author as being Pacific Rim meets the Avengers with a Sailor Moon cast. After having read through the series opener myself, I can attest to this fact. 

Phantoms are enormous, grotesque, and frightening creatures that roam the world in which the main heroines of the book: Maia, Belle, Chae Rin, and Lake--inhabit definitely are on par with Japan's kaijus. Each of the girls has control over one respective element--fire, water, earth, and wind. So that checks off the Sailor Moon inspired aspect. Lastly, the girls must assemble together to combat the terror of the Phantoms who threaten and terrorize the world. 

Maia Finley is the main character through which the book is narrated; and like many of the characters throughout the book, has to contend with her own inner demons and insecurities. Peppered throughout the young adult novel, the story touches upon subjects such as cyberculture, celebrity, family, heroism, and coming-of-age. 

The novel is a page-turner as there are a few mysteries littered throughout the story. The author leaves you in suspense anticipating what will happen next. Furthermore, there's excellent worldbuilding within the novel, which helps to add to the overall enjoyment of the book.    

I highly recommend this book as there's something in it for everyone: a burgeoning romance, a diverse cast of characters, action, adventure, suspense, horror, and a murder mystery.

Rating: 3/5 stars



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